Floodwaters sweeping across parts of Bangladesh are forcing snakes out of their natural habitats and into homes, fields and shelters, raising the risk of snakebite at a time when thousands of families are already struggling with the impacts of the monsoon. Health authorities say they have strengthened emergency preparedness by stocking antivenom across the country and urging people to seek immediate medical treatment rather than relying on traditional remedies.
The increase in snake sightings and snakebite cases is most evident in Chattogram, where continuous heavy rainfall and flooding have displaced wildlife from forests, farmland and riverbanks into residential areas. According to the Chattogram Civil Surgeon's Office, at least 86 people have been bitten by snakes in flood-affected areas over the past seven days.
Chattogram Civil Surgeon Dr Jahangir Alam said rising floodwaters have significantly increased encounters between people and snakes.
"The displacement of snakes from their natural habitats due to floodwaters has led to an increased presence of the reptiles in residential areas and households, resulting in a spike in snakebite incidents," he said.
"So far, 86 snakebite patients have been identified. Among them, two were bitten by venomous snakes. Both are residents of Boalkhali Upazila. After receiving primary treatment and anti-snake venom at the Upazila Health Complex, they were transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital."
"They are currently under medical care and out of danger," he added.
District health data show that Boalkhali recorded the highest number of snakebite cases with 20 patients, followed by Patiya with 18, Banshkhali with 12, Raozan with nine, Hathazari with eight, Satkania with six, Anwara with five, Rangunia and Chandanaish with three each, and Lohagara with two.
Health officials say Bangladesh experiences a seasonal rise in snake activity during the monsoon, particularly in areas affected by heavy rainfall and flooding. Anticipating the increase, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) distributed antivenom injections to every district hospital and upazila health complex before the peak monsoon period.
Md Halimur Rashid, Line Director (Communicable Disease Control) at the DGHS, said the government has also continued to train doctors to ensure snakebite victims receive timely and scientifically appropriate treatment.
He said snake activity rises sharply during the rainy season, making advance preparation essential to reduce preventable deaths.
Officials in different districts confirmed that health facilities are fully stocked. Dimla Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Rasheduzzaman said Nilphamari's Dimla Upazila Health Complex has sufficient antivenom supplies. Sylhet Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Janmejoy Dutta said adequate stocks are available at the district sadar hospital and all upazila health complexes, adding that doctors at the upazila level have received specialised training to manage snakebite cases. Rangamati Civil Surgeon Dr Nuyen Khisao also confirmed that antivenom is available throughout the district.
Dr Khisao urged people not to seek treatment from traditional healers.
"There is a sufficient stock of antivenom at the district sadar hospital as well as all upazila health complexes. I urge everyone not to take snakebite victims to traditional healers or quacks. Instead, take them immediately to the nearest upazila health complex, where they will receive antivenom injections free of charge," he said.
According to the Divisional Director's (Health) Office, 1,100 vials of antivenom are currently available in Chattogram, including 800 vials distributed across 15 upazila health complexes and 300 vials held by the Civil Surgeon's Office. Health authorities said another 300 vials of antivenom and 400 dengue test kits arrived from Dhaka on 12 July, while additional medicines continue to be supplied according to local demand.
Officials have advised residents in flood-affected areas to carry torchlights when walking at night, use a stick to check floodwaters before stepping forward, keep homes and surrounding areas clean, and seek immediate hospital treatment if bitten by a snake. They have also warned people not to delay treatment by relying on traditional practices.
The floods are also creating a second public health challenge. Poor sanitation and shortages of safe drinking water have increased the risk of diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases across flood-hit communities.
The Civil Surgeon's Office said at least 102 people have received treatment for diarrhoea at health facilities in 15 affected upazilas during the past week. Around 70 per cent of patients are children, although officials believe the true number of cases is likely to be higher. In the past 24 hours alone, four new diarrhoea cases were reported in Banshkhali and six in Satkania.
To strengthen the emergency response, health authorities have stockpiled 203,400 packets of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), including 15,000 packets in Banshkhali and 5,000 in Satkania. Mobile medical teams are providing healthcare services in flood-hit communities while monitoring diarrhoea, skin diseases and eye infections.
"We have an adequate stock of necessary medicines and medical supplies to handle the flood situation. Emergency medicines, including anti-venom, water purification tablets, cholera saline and ORS, are being regularly supplied to every upazila," Dr Jahangir Alam said.
"We are also securing supplies from the Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD) in Dhaka as required, and we have been assured of a steady supply."
Snakebite remains a major public health concern in Bangladesh. According to a study by the DGHS Non-Communicable Disease Control Unit, an estimated 403,000 people are bitten by snakes every year, resulting in 7,511 deaths. About one in four bites involves venomous snakes, while 10.6 per cent of survivors are left with physical disabilities and 1.9 per cent experience mental disabilities. The study found that around 95 per cent of snakebite victims live in rural areas, and men are 1.4 times more likely than women to be bitten.
The World Health Organisation estimates that around five million people worldwide suffer snakebites each year. Between 2.5 million and 2.7 million are envenomed; around 150,000 people die annually and nearly 500,000 are left blind or permanently disabled. Bangladesh is home to 94 snake species, including 26 venomous species, according to the WHO.
Researchers say snakes are most active during the monsoon, particularly in flood-prone areas, when rising water forces them to seek higher ground. As families and snakes compete for the same dry shelter, encounters become far more frequent, making rapid access to antivenom and hospital treatment critical to saving lives.
.jpg "Army continues to help families in flood-hit areas of Chattogram")
